Arctic Fox are new to ski touring; they are looking for a mellow day or unsure of how much vertical they can do in a day. However, they can confidently hike 6km (4 Miles) with a pack. 

If you are not confident you are at the Arctic Fox level,  you should consider booking a Private Guided Tour or our Ski/Splitboarding 101 course, where we can cater to your speed.

Flying Squirrels have been ski touring at least ten times and are confident they can put in a 6.5 hour day of moving in the mountains. They can ski or splitboard 1000 vertical meters (3000ft) on back to back days and travel for 10km while following a track. They keep in shape and want a typical day of ski touring, hanging with friends and having a good time.

Lynx have been touring at least 20 times. One thousand vertical meters (3300ft) is a typical day, and 1500 vertical meters (5000ft) on back to back days is possible. They can easily do kick turns and go up challenging skin tracks with confidence. Lynxes are not obsessed with counting vertical, but they know what it means to have a full day travelling in the mountains.

Wolverines are concerned that our guides may not be at their fitness level. They have charts and graphs measuring their heart rates and begin getting bored when their heart rate is below 150 bpm. They constantly look at their altimeter watch and judge how good their day was based on how far and fast they traveled. Wolverines should reach out and specifically request a guide that enjoys putting in steep skin tracks in knee-deep powder. Wolverines should also consider lending a hand during days of deep trail breaking. ;) 

Arctic Foxes might be new to ski touring/splitboarding but are not new to skiing and snowboarding. They are confident on a blue square in bounds and can ride the occasional black diamond but take their time. Arctic Foxes are welcome on AST-1 courses, Backcountry 101 courses and Private Guided Tours. If booking or joining a private guided tour with other participants, Arctic Foxes should inform their group of their skills, so the rest of the group is aware of their preferences. If you are below the Arctic Fox level, you should be booking a Private Guided Tour or a Backcountry 101 and reach out to let us know. 

Flying Squirrels have ridden powder in bounds and out of bounds and have tasted what deep powder can be. Flying Squirrels can ride tree runs but enjoy open bowls more. They are confident on a black diamond runs in bounds; however,  cliffs and steep chutes might not be their thing. Flying Squirrels are primarily looking for a good time with their squirrel friends and can join most of our courses and tours.

Lynx are confident and capable backcountry skiers/riders. They can hang with anyone in the backcountry. Small cliffs and chutes are no big deal to Lynx, as is deep powder on steep slopes. You often find Lynx hiding deep in steep forests or cruising alpine ridges.

The Wolverine’s desire for steep and deep is never quite satisfied. Pillows, cliffs, steep chutes; whatever the mountain throws at them, they take on with an aggressive attack. Encountering a person with both a wolverine level ski/snowboard skill and fitness level is as rare as encountering a wolverine in the flesh.